Shad (
Old Turkic: , šad) was a state office in the early Central Asian
Turkic states, roughly equivalent to
governor. "Shad" could only be an appointee over a vassal tribe, where he represented interests of the preeminent
Kagan. The name of this tribe was included in his title. For example, Tardu-shad could only be a Shad over Tardu tribe. The title carried autonomy in different degrees, and its links with the central authority of kagan varied from economical and political subordination to superficial political deference.